Russian driver Ildar Rakhmatullin will replace Ukrainian Igor Skuz in WestCoast Racing’s third Honda Civic in this weekend’s TCR International Series races in Sochi, reducing the number of drivers to have completed all races so far to nine.
Rakhmatullin has a strong background in rallycross, having twice finishes second in the Super 1600 class of the FIA European Rallycross Championship.
In 2014 he moved to the Russian Circuit Racing championship, taking three victories in the touring light class at the wheel of a Renault Twingo.
Rakhmatullin will be the fourth local driver to participate in his home race as TCR takes to Russia for the first time.
“I’m very thankful for the possibility to join the TCR International Series in the Russian event,”said Rakhmatullin. “This is a very attractive championship, featuring equal cars and fast drivers and I’m looking forward to drive the Honda Civic.
“I’m aware that it will be difficult to achieve great results with such a short practice time, so my goal is to get used to the car and enjoy the racing.”
TCR promoter Marcello Lotti welcomed Rakhmatullin and the opportunity he has been given, in conjunction with Oleg Petrikov, promoter of the Russian Circuit Racing Series.
“I wish to thank Oleg Petrikov and SMP Racing for enthusiastically supporting this action aimed for offering a driver of the Russian Circuit Racing Series the opportunity to experience the competition in the TCR International Series,” said Lotti. “This is a further evidence of SMP Racing’s trust in the TCR concept that has already been integrated in the national championship.”
Petrikov hailed the collaboration between SMP Racing and TCR as a ‘major step’, with Russia being one of the key markets for the fledgling TCR category.
“The aim of the agreement between SMP Racing and TCR International Series is supporting the TCR concept in Russia and this joint event is a major step in our collaboration,” added Petrikov. “We are happy that Rakhmatullin represents the RCRS and SMP Racing at the wheel of TCR car. I wish him good luck this weekend and hope that next year there will be more Russian drivers in TCR International Series.”